BLUES' after-match aggro at Barnsley is set to be investigated by the FA.

BLUES' after-match aggro at Barnsley is set to be investigated by the FA.

But Neil Danns, who was sent off along with Bobby Hassell for violent conduct and faces a three-game ban, said referee Mike Russell got it wrong and that no further action is warranted.

As a postscript to Blues' defeat, which has seriously dented their chances of automatic promotion from the Championship, it was nevertheless worrying.

The FA are to study footage, and will doubtless focus on the initial dust-up between Nicklas Bendtner and Antony Kay that took place moments after the final whistle.

The role of Barnsley assistant manager Ryan Kidd and Mehdi Nafti, who argued furiously with him, will also come under scrutiny.

Manager Steve Bruce said Blues might consider an appeal against Danns' sending off, but it is unlikely to be overturned.

Bruce's worry will be that Bendtner or any other players are charged, assuming video footage is conclusive.

Danns said: "There were hangbags going on further down the pitch between Nicklas Bendtner and their player and Julian Gray went to split them up.

"Someone came across to Julian and pushed him, I went to shield Julian and then everyone started jumping in, dragging and pushing one another.

"There was nothing you would say that was violent conduct, there were no punches or anything. The referee just thought 'I'll pick someone out' and it was me and one of their lads."

Danns and Hassell grabbed at one another's throats but Danns, who has only just got back in favour in the Blues 16, said neither of them laid a blow.

"Everyone came in and two people jumped up at me and I just pushed them off," said the midfielder. "The referee then gave me a red card, but for what, I don't know.

"All I was doing was getting people off me. I was tugging and getting them away. Then he comes up and puts the red card in my face. I aked him what it was for and he just said 'Move'.

"It's gutting for me. I haven't had the best of times and to get back around the squad and then that to happen, I can't believe it. For a stupid decision by the referee to look for anyone to pull out of the melee and give a red card, it's frustrated me even more."

The consequences of the 1-0 defeat Oakwell were huge as Blues are now in the play-off zone and have to rely on Sunderland or Derby County stumbling.

"It's going to take winning most of our games now, if not all of them," admitted Danns. "We have the game in hand, so Derby know they've got to keep getting the results and not drop points.

"Obviously it's going to be tough but we are capable of going on a run and I'm sure the boys will find it in them to produce.

"You do see a few weird results flying about at this stage of the season and when you see a second-half like that, you wonder how did we lose the game."

Blues dominated after the break, but just totted up a catalogue of misses and ill fortune.

"I didn't think we played well in the first-half," said Danns. "In the second half, we created a load of chances. On another day, three of them go in and you win comfortably.

"But they just weren't going in, it wasn't happening for us. They defended well, they put men behind the ball and stuff, and they caught us on the counter.

"Nerves come into it when everyone is sort of going for that goal. But we can't quite believe how we didn't win."